Hundreds of communities across the world are working to promote Fair Trade in their area, meeting goals to become recognized as a Fair Trade Town. Norman is close to becoming the 15th Fair Trade Town in the United States and the first in Oklahoma. It is time for Norman to join cities such as San Francisco and Milwaukee in a step that can alleviate global poverty through support of Fair Trade products locally.To proceed further, we need a commitment from the city council to purchase Fair Trade Certified products.
Please buy Fair Trade products for city functions
Dear Mayor and City Council members,
As concerned citizens of Norman, we want to thank you for the April 28, 2009 Proclamation in support of Fair Trade. As a next step towards becoming a Fair Trade Town, we ask that you require purchasing of Fair Trade certified coffee for city functions.
Fair Trade products compete favorably on quality and price with non-Fair Trade, as well as representing our city's ethical stand for humane working conditions and environmental sustainability. We believe that the way the city spends our tax dollars should reflect these values.
Passing a Fair Trade Certified coffee restriction for our municipal offices and agencies would set an important example for Oklahoma. It will bring us significantly closer to becoming the 14th Fair Trade Town in the U.S. and the first in Oklahoma. This will continue the positive attention Norman has received for its commitment to human rights and sustainability.
[Your name]